Animal Defenders International

Colombian Congress given two years to legislate on bullfights.

Posted: 1 February 2017. Updated: 18 July 2017

In its Judgment C-041/17, published on February 1, 2017, the Constitutional Court emphasized that there is still a shortage of animal protection in Colombia. As Congress has been unable to resolve this deficit during the seven years since a simiilar statement was made, the magistrates gave members of congress two years to make a decision. If this deadline is not met, bullfights, cockfights, corralejas, coleo, and bullfighting with young bulls, would be prohibited and considered animal abuse and a crime.

The lawsuit leading to the judgement was filed in 2016 and followed by ADI and other organizations, who gave evidence before the Court and organised protests in front of the Palace of Justice.

In early 2017, following the return of bullfights to Bogota, ADI and other animal protection groups, planned a series of activities, which later led to the creation of the coalition Colombia Sin Toreo, which grew progressively with the addition of more groups. Within a few weeks national and international coverage was secred in support of a law banning these shows.

How to help:

Urge the Colombian Embassy in your country to support proposals to ban bullfighting in Colombia. Click for contact details in English / Spanish.